Bloom - An AR Flower Arrangement Game

star

Introduction

Bloom is an augmented reality (AR) flower arrangement game where players can design intricate floral arrangements in their own space. Once completed, these arrangements can be shared on social media or sent as virtual gifts to friends and family. Combining technology and artistry, Bloom makes the joy of flower arranging accessible to anyone, anywhere.

Bloom logo

Problem and Project Goal

The idea for Bloom stemmed from a love of flowers and a frustration with the challenges of practicing floral design. Buying flowers is expensive, with limited options for purchasing individual stems or unique varieties. Local flower shops and grocery stores often stock basic assortments, making it difficult to experiment with different designs. Bloom was created to solve this problem: an AR experience where players can arrange flowers without limitations. The goal was to provide a fun, creative, and affordable way to practice flower arranging, explore different styles, and share unique designs with others.

Key Features

  • Vase Selection: Choose from various vase styles to match different floral aesthetics.
  • Flower Placement: Pick flowers, drag and drop them into the vase, and adjust their position with intuitive controls.
  • Adjustable Angles: Rotate and view arrangements from every angle for a perfect design.
  • AR Display: See completed arrangements in your real-world space using AR for an immersive experience.
  • Social Sharing (Future): Share your designs on social media or send them as virtual gifts to friends and family.

Research and Validation

To gauge interest in Bloom, an early-stage prototype was created in ShapeXR and shared on LinkedIn. The response was overwhelming, to this day we have 26,765 impressions, 287 likes, and over 40 comments. Feedback included insights that helped refine the concept:

  • Interactive Features: Players should be able to rotate and view arrangements, cut stems, and add greenery.
  • Customization Options: Seasonal flower collections and immersive environments (e.g., garden, studio).
  • Practical Elements: Incorporating tutorials for beginners and a gifting feature to send arrangements virtually.
Bloom gameplay demonstration

3D Modeling

Flowers were modeled with a slightly stylized look to balance aesthetic appeal and performance. Reference images of single stems from multiple angles ensured accuracy, while low polygon counts maintained efficiency.

Design process 1

UI Design

The UI for Bloom was crafted to be elegant and minimalistic, ensuring the focus remains on the floral creations. The interface was designed for both mobile and mixed-reality platforms, with early development prioritizing mobile AR.

Design process 1

Development Approach

Bloom follows a phased development strategy:

  • Mobile AR Experience: Core flower arranging features, later expanded to include virtual backgrounds and social sharing.
  • Mixed Reality: Adaptation for devices like Quest 3 and Vision Pro, incorporating immersive environments.
  • Future plans: additional flowers, vases, gifting features, and potential collaborations with brands or location-based experiences.

Bloom: Available Now

We've launched the first version of Bloom—now available on the App Store and Google Play! Early user feedback has validated its potential as a beloved creative tool, and we're excited to keep growing. As development continues, Bloom will bring the joy of flower arranging to a wider audience, with new features to inspire creativity and boost engagement.

Bloom represents a bridge between nature and technology, offering an innovative way for users to express themselves, learn, and share their creations.

Download Bloom from App Store and Google Play store and start arranging today!

Stay tuned as this project blossoms into its full potential!